The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In New Mexico
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Juliet White
Author
Whether you’ve lived in New Mexico your entire life or just had the good sense to relocate here, you know that the Land of Enchantment is full of amazing places. Here are several experiences (numbered, but not ranked in any order!) that you should add to your New Mexico bucket list:
1. Hang out on a plaza.
In New Mexico, life happens on the plaza. Stroll, attend an event, listen to music, or just people-watch. Many cities and towns have plazas so you have plenty of options.
2. Eat authentic New Mexican food.
Rancho de Chimayó, 300 Juan Medina Rd, Chimayo, NM 87522, USA
As you’d expect, New Mexican cuisine is available throughout the Land of Enchantment. Rancho de Chimayo, which just won a James Beard Award, serves authentic New Mexican food. Many more such New Mexican restaurants are scattered throughout the Land of Enchantment.
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3. Attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Be one of the thousands of people who flock to the world’s largest ballooning event and you’ll understand why it’s a must-see. Learn more about the International Balloon Fiesta.
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4. Eat pie in Pietown.
Pie Town, NM 87827, USA
Because how can you not? Try the apple and red chile pie.
5. Take a cave tour of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
Exploring Carlsbad Caverns is great. Taking a New Mexico cave tour is even better.
6. Visit the state capitol building.
New Mexico State Capitol, 411 S Capitol St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
It’s the only round one in the country.
7. Cruise along the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway.
Enchanted Circle, Enchanted Cir, New Mexico 87001, USA
The best time of year to explore this route, which passes through Taos, is in fall.
8. Soak in one of New Mexico’s many hot springs.
San Antonio Hot Spring, New Mexico 87025, USA
There are clusters of primitive and developed hot springs near Jemez Springs and also in Truth or Consequences. Let the stress melt away at one of these wonderful hot springs in New Mexico. (Pictured: San Antonio hot springs.)
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9. Go to the Hatch Chile Festival.
Hatch, NM, USA
Hatch is the Chile Capital of the World for a reason.
10. Cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, New Mexico 87529, USA
The river snakes along the valley floor 800 feet below.
11. Experience Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, USA
Bonus points if you can go during the annual Festival of the Cranes, held each November. You won’t forget a sight like this. Find out more about the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.
12. Tuck in to a green chile cheeseburger.
While you’re on the way to or from Bosque del Apache, stop at San Antonio for a juicy green chile cheeseburger at either Buckhorn Tavern or Owl Bar and Café.
13. Hike the Catwalk Trail.
Catwalk Recreation Area, Glenwood, NM, USA
This elevated catwalk trail in the Gila National Forest steers you through Whitewater Canyon, along the route of an old water pipeline that once supplied mines in the area.
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14. Visit New Mexico’s pueblos.
Taos Pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while Acoma Sky City is situated on top of a mesa, affording astounding views.
15. Let your feet sink into the dunes at White Sands National Monument.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
You can even go sand sledding at the world’s largest gypsum dune field in New Mexico.
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16. Drive along an original stretch of Route 66.
The section that runs through Albuquerque is pretty neat. Alternatively, head to Tijeras to make some music on the singing highway in New Mexico.
17. Travel back in time at Chaco Canyon.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is massive. In fact, right up until the 19th century, the structures here - which in their heyday amounted to 600 rooms piled four stories high - were the largest in North America. Discover more about the Chaco Culture National Historic Park.
18. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway.
Sandia Peak Tramway, Tramway Road Northeast, Albuquerque, NM, USA
The views are well worth any vertigo! Here is the Sandia Peak Tramway website with more information.
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19. Stand (or lie down) in four states at once at Four Corners Monument.
Four Corners Monument, 597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514, USA
How else can you be in more than one place at the same time?
20. Go hiking at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USA
Get close to the hoodoos, hike a slot canyon, then ascend to a mesa that offers panoramic views. Check out the official Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument webpage.
21. Ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, 500 Terrace Ave, Chama, NM 87520, USA
It’s officially the best train ride in the USA.
22. Marvel at the Loretto Chapel’s miraculous staircase.
Loretto Chapel, 207 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
No one has ever been able to explain how it functions without any discernible means of support.
23. Clamber up to some cliff dwellings.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049, USA
Gila, in the south, and Bandelier and Puye to the north are all sites with well-preserved cliff dwellings.
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24. Learn about New Mexico’s atomic history.
Bradbury Science Museum, 1350 Central Ave, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
The Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History are both very informative. Learn more at the Nuclear Museum website.
25. Walk across a lava flow.
El Malpais National Monument, 1900 E Santa Fe Ave, Grants, NM 87020, USA
Lava flows can be found at El Malpais National Monument and in Valley of Fires Recreation Area. Visit the El Malpais National Monument website to learn more.
26. Smell the roses in the Rio Grande Botanic Garden.
ABQ BioPark - Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
This is part of the Albuquerque Biopark. The Japanese Garden here is lovely. Here is the Rio Grande Botanic Garden website for more information.
27. Plunge into the Blue Hole.
Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, USA
This spring fed pool has the clearest water in the state. Check out all the best swimming holes in New Mexico for more ideas.
28. Find inspiration at the Museum of International Folk Art.
Museum of International Folk Art, On Museum Hill, 706 Camino Lejo, Santa Fe, NM 87505, USA
Wonder at the creativity of crafters around the world. Visit the Museum of International Folk Art's website to learn more.
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29. Appreciate New Mexico’s earliest art: petroglyphs.
Petroglyph National Monument, Western Trail NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, USA
Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site near Tularosa are packed with rock art.
30. Visit the town of Lincoln.
Lincoln, NM 88338, USA
This is where the Lincoln County Wars took place. Walk in the footsteps of some of the most infamous folk in the Wild West in this perfectly preserved town.
Have you already made a New Mexico bucket list? What spots in New Mexico do you want to see in your lifetime? Feel free to add your suggestions on the Only In New Mexico Facebook Page or our nominations page. Need a place to stay while doing all your exploring? Check out the amazing options from our friends at VRBO.
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More to Explore
New Mexico Bucket List
What are the most unique things to do in New Mexico?
There are many normal places to visit in New Mexico that delight people of all ages throughout the years. There are also places that are wacky, quirky, and a little bit different, but equally worth visiting.
- Places like Meow Wolf, an interactive art museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, offer experiences that you'll certainly put on your bucket list in New Mexico. The House of Eternal Return, which resides inside an old bowling alley, is certainly one-of-a-kind.
What are the best road trips through New Mexico?
With so many things to do in New Mexico, it can be hard to get to them all in a timely manner.
- Luckily, we've put together some nifty road trips that will take you to some of the best destinations in the Land of Enchantment, all routes that you can finish in a day, weekend, or slightly longer.
- There are so many other potential road trips to bucket list places in NM - from routes to natural wonders in New Mexico to a trip through some of the state's ghost towns - that it would be impossible to list them all.
Which hidden gems in New Mexico should I visit?
Stop by some of the best New Mexico attractions that not many people know about, and you'll be glad you did.
- There is a pistachio farm in Alamogordo that not only has a pistachio tree orchard you can tour but also the "world's largest pistachio" sitting out front.
- The Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park is certainly a unique experience. With old west dioramas and a bunch of antiques or other vintage memorabilia, it'll take you back in time.